A critical problem in this case is the very meaning of the term ‘scientific research’ that kills whales and eventually takes all that is chopped off from the giants to the creepy Japanese dinner plates. We can’t persuade nations to abandon their barbarous attitudes towards killing of whales but a combination of awareness-raising along with diplomatic pressure is what needed to save these beautiful creatures. Our debates will surely make a big difference…this message has to go to every shore of the world. Thanks for putting that up here. Peace!

You can't live without 'Scientific research', you need it but hunting in the name of SR is bad. It should be monitored.

Without killing frogs in school days how can you become medical professional? To know and study the body structure of different living species it is necessary step. You shouldn't see one side of the coin.

Make the International Whaling Commission an effective forum to find a middle way for the both fighting group of countries

Hunting whale for commercial purpose and for scientific research are different. there should be proper conservation of whale stocks to orderly develop the whaling industry.

What we believe in UK that the world should not have a whaling industry at all. We have some more similar-thinking countries in our group like Australia, Brazil and Argentina too.

More than 2,000 whales are hunted every year and the numbers are increasing at threatening speed. Is it acceptable? NO..

Implement some tips to restrict the illegal hunting in the name of scientific research- Impose ban or radical reform of scientific whaling, There should be international monitoring on whaling, DNA analysis should be made necessary to stop illegal meat supply to market, and observation of sanctuaries should be strict enough to control it.

Although there may be available studies on whaling, I think these have yet to be disseminated down the line and studied further.

This is an essential aspect in the purview of climate change. Aquatic beings have to be protected from man’s exploitation to prevent extinction.

Japanese are stupid people, they are illegally using an ICRW clause that permits hunting for scientific purposes and catching whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. The world needs no whale industry at all.

See what a Norwegian pro-whaling lobby said- "Eat a whale and save the planet. Harpooning whale is less damaging to the climate than farming livestock." Isn't it so funny?

Completely agreed with Taiichi, it is better to eat whale meat that eating any other types of meat just to save the planet.

Of course and why not whale meat? Study shows Greenhouse gas emissions caused by one meal of beef is equal to eight meals of whale meat. Even I would prefer whale meat then.

I believe hurting those animals is bad and the way they are harpooning them they are not just killing them instantly, they are suffering. It’s horrible

Life is always precious...

The truth is that in the name of scientific research, commercial whaling is going on. Norway imposed a self-moratorium a couple of years back on whaling but Japan still continues to do so. It seems now that Norway is set to resume whaling. You don't need to kill 100s of whales each year for research. Besides, what is so critical about this so-called researches? This is rubbish.

Whales are not exactly frogs or guinea pigs. They are an endangered species. Japan's contribution towards whale preservation and oceanography by killing these whales is non-existent. They just want their pound of yearly whale meat.

The Japs are capable of going to any extent to justify whaling. They are a greedy population that eats anything from fugu (puffer fish) to leopard placenta. A few more nukes in 1945 would have settled the issue forever.

Eat whale to save earth? Why not turn into cannibals? After all humans are over 6 billion. Whales are almost extinct.

can understand abt japan.... they r a fuckd up nation....... can't understand abt norway.... they r world peacemakers n look civilized......

Even if killing of whales for research is critical it is not justified. You just can't kill endangered animals on the verge of extinction. Japan is violating all international norms by continuing to harpoon them. This has to stop now.

Unacceptable! Whaling is an international crime and the Japanese and Norwegians must be punished through sanctions.

Sorry for copying and posting my last comment in the wrong box. I wrote two comments on my notepad. Please delete the comment on India and racism above. It was for a different post.

--------

Whaling can be justified if some real results for the benefit of environment and whale preservation is coming out of it. It is for Japan to prove that it is doing something that is good for us all. I am not too sure about it but the benefit of doubt goes to Japan.

Going by this logic tomorrow someone will abduct one of us and intersect in the name of research.
Whales are rapidly declining in number. The time has come to take some concrete steps.

Nowadays we have sophisticated technologies which can have the same effect without catching or killing the whales. It is the goodwill which is lacking.